Monday, April 9, 2012

Flag Stones


 

Hello every one,

I promised I would do a follow up post on my Flag stones, so here they are. The first photograph is of the flags in the Kitchen and the second in the hall. You may not be able to see the difference but to me I prefer the stones in the hall, they are a slightly cooler tone as they were done on different days, whilst the colours I used are the same, the way you mix them can vary, so slight differences can occur. I started out by using graph paper cut to the size of my room and loosely marking out the shapes in a random pattern, I tried not to be too fixed to a firm pattern so they looked a little more irregular. I then sanded them into softer shapes and then beat them with a wire brush so that the flags appeared to have pits in them that you usually find in stone. I then painted them in raw umber so that the paint would sink into the pits. Once it was dry I made up a pallet using three colours. White, raw umber, and yellow ochre, mixed together these colours make a nice stone using white as the dominant colour. I also keep these colours unmixed on the pallet as well as a terracotta so that I can randomly add small amounts to make variations in the stone. I work from darker to light so I'm guessing there is approximately three or four layers of paint on each stone and not one of them would be the same. As you can see from the photo each stone varies from light to quite a dark brown, I added small amounts of terracotta to add warmth (a little too much in the kitchen) and some flecks of white that is sometimes natural to stone. As you can see in the image the darker pits show through and I achieve this by dry brushing which is when you apply paint to a dry brush and lightly drag it across the surface so the paint doesn't soak into the pits. Oh and I did sand them between layers, it helps to bend the colours a bit too. I initially intended to grout them but was a bit nervous to do so and now that I grouted my kitchen tiles I'm glad I didn't try it. I think I will fill a few of the gaps you can see with a mixture of sand glue and just place it in the gaps as I am worried about damaging the surface.




Well thats it for the flag stones, now to the range hood. I thought all was well and every thing had gone to plan until today when I went to work on my house and I discovered my globe had blown!!!!!! GRRRRRRR!!!! I was so happy with what I had achieved and now I think I need to start over.......: (

Firstly I had come up with a plan to attach my hood to the wall that enabled me to remove it without lifting it as I planned to put in a flue above the hood. I drilled a larger hole in the back wide enough for an angle bracket to slip in and then attached the bracket to the wall as you can see in the first image. That worked well and it sat nice and straight on the wall. I made the hole at the bottom of the hood wider to allow heat to escape as Gaic suggested and attached a piece of copper inside to use as a heat sink as Tyla suggested, you may be able to see it in the image with the mirror. Now that the globe has blown and I can't seem to get it loose to try another one I feel I have to re do the light at the risk of it happening again. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The sooner I get this sorted the sooner I finnish my kitchen!!!!

Mini Hugs,

Fi x

32 comments:

  1. The flagstones look absolutely wonderful!

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    1. Hi Heather,

      thanks for stopping bye, thanks so much.

      Fi x

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  2. Oh Fiona!! Son tan reales que parecen auténticas!! Es un trabajo maravillo!! Creo que cuando decore mi "Casa Tudor" voy a tratar de seguir este tutorial, espero que el resultado sea tan magnífico cómo el tuyo!! La campana de la cocina es también preciosa, estás consiguiendo un ambiente muy acogedor y cálido!! Un abrazo enorme desde Sevilla!!

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    1. Hola Pedetre,

      eres tan querida, me encantaría que lo intentó en su casa Tudor, que sería muy bueno saber que me han ayudado de alguna manera. Sobre todo un artista tan talentoso como a ti mismo.

      Abrazos Grandes, Fi xxx

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  3. Hi honey
    I love the cooker hood but no idea how to solve your mini problem, I'll think about it. I think you made the right decision re not grouting the rest of the floor. The glue and sand will fill any big holes but to be honest I like the gaps, they bring out the pattern of the flags.
    I really like your wall tiles too.
    Well done hon on another realistic job.
    xx

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    1. Yay, your working again!!!!!

      Thanks my darling it's so good to have you here!!! I think the hood is going to be trial and error, we'll see how I go, and I think I will go with the sand and glue idea.

      ML Fi xx

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  4. Fiona--

    Oh dear, I don't know what to do about the range hood. The method you worked out seems fool-proof and seemed to be working out. I am as surprised as you. I will keep thinking about it. Sometimes it is very hard to keep moving forward!

    On the other hand-- wow what great flagstones! They look good without the mortar. I like the way you colored them. They look so real. Your description of how you did the flags is very good.

    Good luck with fixing the hood,
    Iris

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    1. Oh Iris I know,

      i thought we had it worked out! I wonder if the globe I used was a bit too hot, it wasn't a wheat bulb it was one I got from a lighting work shop and a bit brighter. So back to the drawing board.

      I'm glad you like the flags, at least they worked....Lol

      Fi xx

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  5. Thanks for the detailed description of how you did the flagstones. They look great and I like the wall tiles too.

    Sorry I can't help with the kitchen light though. I'm sure you'll get it sorted out.

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    1. Hi Irene,

      I'm sure I'll work it out, I guess i'll put it all down to experience, i'm glad you like the flags!

      Fi x

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  6. Hi Fiona! Did you buy the flagstones or make them from Fimo? Are they real stones? Thanks for all the detail re: how you treated and aged them--they look fantastic! :-) Jennifer

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    1. Hi Jennifer,

      No I made them from balsa wood and then used the paint process I explained in the post. I'm glad you like them.

      Fi x

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  7. Lovin' the flagstones. You've done a great job.

    I don't know if this is a stupid question but I'll ask anyway...did you screw the bracket into the copper tape feeding your hood bulb? It may be bridging the gap between positive and negative wires and causing the bulb to go =0/
    I came across the same problem with my cooker hood and had to make the cover removable so I could get into the wiring.

    Hope you get it sorted =0)

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    1. Hi Pepper,

      No that is definitely not a stupid question and I am sooo glad I thought of that one before, I glued it to the wall but i am still worried as i have heard adhesives can corrode the tape. i think it's the bulb I used, maybe too hot!

      Fi x

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  8. Que precioso te ha quedado, gracias por darnos informacion y compartir.
    Un buen trabajo, enhorabuena.
    besitos ascension

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    1. Gracias, gracias, espero que no era demasiado largo para ti, me alegro de que vino a visitar!

      Fi xx

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  9. Hi Fi, thanks for your comments on my posts XXX!! Question:what is graph paper? A kind of thick cardstock, I guess? I love the flagstones, they are like real ones. I work with paint on the projects like you do. It is nice to know how to manage this, isn't it? I have no inspiration to paint about 2 years, so now I am working on my miniatures and I can use the knowledge about the paint techniques. You described it very clear, thank you.
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Hi Ilona,

      Graph paper is paper I am sure you use, it has lots of little squares on it so you can make technical drawings. I use it so I can keep things straight. It is good to have a little past experience with paint to achieve the final results, i notice you always do a wonderful job.

      Mini hugs, Fi xx

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  10. Hi Fi,
    I wish I couls help with the globe problem, but I've never come accross this type of situation. I'll look through my books and if I find anything I'll let you know.
    On a more positive note, I hope you realise just how terrific your floor is! It looks spectacular and you'd swear you were looking at a real life floor. I am so impressed by the level of finish in your work. You are a wonderful miniaturist, and don't you forget it, or I'll get mad!
    Have a great week Fi, and don't worry, I'm sure the lighting situation has happened to many and someone will be able to help you...it's always easier then one thinks.
    Big hugs,
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac,

      I think you are in fact one of the sweetest and most encouraging miniaturists around, I always feel inspired by your encouragement, I could give up and not have a light in my hood but now i have set my mind to it I will soldier on and work it out no doubt.

      Fi xxxx

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  11. Looks fabulous- your works are amazing! And I love that BIG egg on the easter table!

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    1. Hi there,

      thanks for coming along and having a look, i'm glad you like the BIG egg....; )

      Fi x

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  12. It looks really fantastic.
    The colors of the stones are so successful.
    It looks so real.
    You have done a very nice job
    Everything fits so nicely and well.
    I find it very very beautiful.

    Fine week and greetings, Alexandra.

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    1. Hi Alexandra,

      Thanks so much, I always value your thoughts.

      have a great week,

      Mini hugs, Fi x

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  13. Hi Fi! You did a spectacular job on the flagstones and my heart goes out to you on the electric problem! Me + electricity = disaster! (I can't believe Merriman Park hasn't burned to a crisp, yet). I know you will get it sorted out in time!

    It's funny how the colors vary so when you mix up new batches! I've had that issue too... well go to sashay away to work...bye!

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  14. Hello my Darling,

    yes me and electricity don't go so well either, I was hoping I was all finished with that, but back to the drawing board!!!!

    Work your little heart out HB.

    Fi xxx

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  15. My dearest Fi,

    What an absolute pain in the bottom!! Miniature lighting must be the Devil's work! I have so much trouble with it too, I wish I could help, I guess if the light is at the back of the house you could try cutting a small access hole, and make a new cover later, but it's a bit drastic!

    Your flagstones look FAB!! I have never thought of using a build up of different colours to paint my floor tiles before, might try that, if you don't mind me running off with your ideas!! ;)

    Don't be down-hearted; all problems have a solution somewhere!!

    I was rather confused by the last picture, until I realised it was you holding a mirror under the cooker hood!!

    Much love

    Andy xxxx

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    1. Dear to me Andy,

      You are sooo right, pain in the bottom it is!!!! You know what I hate the most? The eyelets and trying to get them into place on a wall!!!! Grrrrr, this just means I'll have to do that again!! I've got the removal bit worked out, it really slides off easy and i can get to the electrics it's only the annoyance of having to do it again at the risk of it blowing once again.

      Of course I don't mind if use my ideas, if I din't want anyone to do it I would have secret squirrelled my technique away. So paint your heart out my dear.

      Hehe, i think I confused myself with that one too.......; )

      Love always,

      Fi xxxx

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  16. Who's a very clever girl then? Well done Fi for the authenticity in your workz! Hugz J xx

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  17. Awwww, thanks Jazzi, so glad you like it!!

    Mini Hugs, Fi xx

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  18. The flagstones are totally awesome!

    Pity about the electrical problems :(

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